Kindred Restaurant

Overview

Located on Cleveland Street, Kindred is the brainchild of chef Matt Pollock (A Tavola), who spent more than a year renovating the 45-seat space. The food is Italian inspired, but not strictly Italian. So, expect to find Mediterranean dishes made with a spattering of Aussie ingredients — and lots of vegetarian options.

Starters such as roasted pumpkin ($11) with whipped ricotta and fermented chilli and chargrilled octopus ($17) with eggplant purée, precede heartier mains like bucatini with guanciale and agnolotti with cauliflower and sunflower seeds ($27). All pastas can be made with gluten-free pappardelle for an extra $2, too.

While it's tempting to go hard on the entrees (the bread and the pastas) leaving room for dessert is rewarded. The chocolate fondant with peanut butter gelato ($13) and fig leaf semifreddo sandwich ($13) are both winners

As well as having tasty fare — that keeps dietary requirements in mind — everything from the pasta to the bread and the cultured butter is made on site, and produce is sourced from local suppliers. The wine list, meanwhile, has many organic, biodynamic and natural drops, and is bolstered by a selection of local spirits, too.